May 7, 2025
Our Favorite Moments from the 2025 Women of Vision Awards
by Ms. Foundation for Women
Our 2025 Women of Vision Awards brought us community, joy, and a much-needed reminder of the real-life superheroes fighting for our rights. It was a profoundly powerful evening, bringing together activists, leaders, and supporters across generations, communities, and movements. Below are a few of our favorite moments from the program! Brooklyn United Marching Band kicked things off with an incredible performance. The event was hosted by Danielle Moodie, host of iHeart’s #WokeAF Daily, co-host of the Daily Beast’s The New Abnormal and #democracyish, and Ms. Foundation Board Member, who took the stage and led us through the evening. Ms. Foundation President & CEO Teresa C. Younger spoke about the moment we’re in and the unique approach the Foundation takes to this work: “We’re not just some funder out there. You will hear from many of our partners, many who are in the room, who will say to you, it’s not just about the money that we give away. But it is about the relationships we have.” Jeannette Pai-Espinosa, a Ms. Foundation grantee partner and President of Justice + Joy National Collaborative, was honored as a Woman of Vision for her work advancing the rights of women and gender-expansive youth through centering intergenerational activism. “But today, there’s no question that the primary political agenda for those in power is the erasure of our existence, our work, our communities, our dignity, and our rights. But we refuse to accept that it’s okay for women, girls, gender-expansive young people of color to be relegated to the bottom of the hierarchy of human value. We will resist. We will persist.” #WinWithBlackWomen is a powerful collective of intergenerational, intersectional Black women leaders that supports Black women running for elected office at the federal, state, and local levels throughout the nation. They were honored with the Marie C. Wilson Award, which Holli Holiday accepted on behalf of the organization. “We are not the same as we were before the 2024 elections. Don’t let anybody tell you any different. We are stronger. We are more organized, we are ready, and we are powerful, and tonight, #WinWithBlackWomen stands proudly in community with all of you, as we celebrate our collective power.” Alaqua Cox was honored with the Free To Be You and Me Award for her work to increase representation for young women, particularly Indigenous and disabled youth, which she accepted virtually. “I will continue to advocate for equal job opportunities in workplace accommodations. I encourage you to do the same, and I would like to thank the deaf community, mentors, and my family who have stood by me and supported me.” Deputy CEO Ruth McFarlane and Danielle Moodie hosted a special live auction of a first edition of Ms. Magazine featuring Wonder Woman on the cover, signed by founding mother Gloria Steinem and Woman of Vision honoree Lynda Carter. Woman of Vision Jenice Fountain, a Ms. Foundation grantee partner and Executive Director of the Yellowhammer Fund, was honored for her efforts leading advocacy and reproductive justice work in Alabama, Mississippi, and the Deep South. “We fight for reproductive justice, because the lack thereof is violence, regardless of mainstream media not covering it as such. When we say, ‘no justice, no peace,’ it is because lack of access to abortion is violence. When we say ‘no justice, no peace,’ it is to acknowledge that state sanctioned family separation as violence. When we say ‘no justice, no peace,’ it is to say that a lack of alternatives to hospitals for birthing is violence. When we say ‘no justice, no peace,’ it is to say that there are so many oppressions. But what we do know is that we more than deserve the reproductive justice we are owed.” Singer, actress, and philanthropist Lynda Carter was honored as a Woman of Vision for her ongoing work to champion women and girls. “When I look at the arc of the past 50 years you can see how things have changed for women, and how they haven’t. The fight for equal rights continues. The fight for choice continues. We are back to how it was. Yes. With control wielded over us, and freedom for the very few.” Following the awards ceremony, renowned DJ Mary Mac performed a special after-party set. For more photos, check out our Facebook album! Credit for all photos to Getty for Ms. Foundation for Women.
